Congratulations to Mikhail M.Kasyanov, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, with taking office

CONGRATULATIONS TO MIKHAIL M.KASYANOV, CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, WITH TAKING OFFICE

On May 18, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent a congratulatory cable to Mikhail M.Kasyanov, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation:

‘Your Excellency, deeply respected Mikhail Mikhailovich!

I congratulate you on taking office of Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.

May the Lord help you in your responsible ministry to the Fatherland. I hope that your activities as a statesman will be crowned with good results and will contribute to the consolidation of society, successful economic development and prosperity of the great Russia.

It is not be hearsay that I know how difficult is the situation of common people at present and how much is to be done in the field of national economy and social policy. Yet I am deeply convinced that for the revival of the Fatherland it is necessary in the first place to free the spiritual forces of people and to facilitate their moral formation. Our Church is always prepared to develop the established good relations of cooperation and common actions with the Government of Russia.’

Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, also congratulated Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation with taking office:

‘Your Excellency, deeply respected Mikhail Mikhailovich!

Please accept cordial greeting with your taking office of Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.

I hope that your difficult work at the high governmental post will be a success, will serve to the consolidation of peace and accord in society, raise effectiveness of the government of the country and the growth of economic welfare of Russia.

I assure you in the willingness of the Russian Orthodox Church to develop traditional cooperation with the Russian Government in peacemaking, strengthening of moral foundations in the life of society, solution of interethnic problems and promotion of the interreligious dialogue in our Fatherland.

May the Lord grant you and your colleagues good health and His almighty help in your work for the good of the Motherland.’